This is a question we, at NOSSA, seem to get alot of; as well as the ridicule we receive not only from people of average height but by people that are also short in stature. These people say, since it doesn't happen to them, that we are out of our minds or just in it to sue someone.
Well, if you look at the Yoplait commercial I posted, you will see that heightism does exist; that one is pretty blatant; commercial or not.
Also, just because some of you who are short in stature haven't been discriminated against doesn't refute the idea that people are prejudice against us.
Why is it that there are parents out there willing to pay between $20,000 and even $100,000/year for growth hormone treatment (mostly for boys) if we are all treated equally? We are not talking about growth hormone treatment for those who are deficient in growth hormone or that have a medical condition, but children that are just short (idiopathic short stature). Why take the risk for two inches of additional height? Who knows what health problems may occur down the road?
Why do a large percentage of sperm banks not accept donors under 5'11"? Why do women not want shorter kids? Because, for the same reason they want their boys to be tall and will risk their future health for a couple of inches. Height matters too much!
Do you ever hear of a parent bragging about their son or daughter's height if they are short in stature? NO!! Yet, if they are tall, it is a symbol of pride for them and they will boast about it.
With regards to taking someone to court over heightism...well...good luck. Only one state bans heightism and that is Michigan. So, if you live in the other 49 states right now you are out of luck, unless you can claim gender discrimination or a disability of some sort.
So, the next time someone tells you there is no heightism or you think there isn't any, please research it before you jump to a conclusion brought on by a bunch or prejudice people whose fear is that they will eventually be called out on their bigotry. They like the staus quo of "taller/bigger is better" because it benefits them and oppresses those of us who are shorter and, God fobid if we do succeed, we are then labeled as "little napoleons".
Yea...you naysayers are correct, there is no heightism...lol.
It's because heightism is not taught in the educational system. If it were (like racism, sexism, or anti-semitism) people would accept it as a real 'ism. That is the power of the educational institutions. They determine what will and what will not be taught. But I'm sure that in time they will have no choice but to include heightism in their textbooks. Because if they refuse, they will be leaving out an important phenomenon in the social sciences.
ReplyDeleteThough the subject isn't taught in schools, it is certainly practiced in schools!!
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